RED RAG Reading's Only Newspaper Box 79 Acorn Bookshop 17 Chatham Street Reading. International Womens Day to Anniversary of South Street Dole Office Squat Copy Deadline 6pm Thursday 20th March 1986 (to Acorn) Free - - - RED RAG "MAY FOLD" - REPORT Shock news broke today (Saturday) that the infamous "underground" magazine, Red Rag, may soon disappear. A member of the collective, who refused to be named, told reporters: "An issue costs us about £80 produce. If every one of our readers could be bothered to give Red Rag 1p a week, that would pay the bill. But they don't." The magazine, which has been available for free for nearly six years, has approached bankruptcy several times. "Another major problem is that not enough people are involved in Red Rag," said the spokesperson. "Anyone can paste up, print or write articles: don't they care enough to get involved." It is rumoured that there will not be an edition in a fortnight's time, unless people offer support and help via the secret Acorn Bookshop contact address. The news was greeted enthusiastically by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police. "These people have been getting up my nose for years with all their pranks. Now that they could be going, we can look forward to running things as we really want to." Readers of the paper were unavailable for comment. Mark Robinson Media correspondent. - - - The WOMEN'S CONFERENCE this weekend hopefully - and probably - reached many women in Reading, coming together to meet new women, discuss old and new issues, feelings and interests, to participate in or watch lots of performance and workshops, and ultimately to have fun and share experiences. Women are proudly pushing their rights and resources, coming together in strength all over England and internationally as well - the 9th to the 16th of March being International Womens Week. Events continue this week in London, for example - a feast of them, particularly with the Race Relations Group in Hackney Town Hall (phone Dawn or Pauline on 01 985 6732). And there's always more to put energy into here. Another display is going to be put on soon by the Rape Crisis Line. This will include general information and observation about the media, the police and the courts, and how they treat rape victims; how schools and establishments regard sexuality; and, amongst other contributions, feelings about incest, rape and sexuality - with some poetry, art, photographs - and humour. Any women are welcome - it will be another important opportunity to share thoughts and to meet other women locally. The date will be made known nearer the time. Meanwhile, anybody who would like to contribute to the display please drop a note in to The Women's Centre: the basement, Old Shire Hall, Abbey Street... before 13th March 1986. Thank You. x J. - - - WAPPING INFORMATION OUTBREAK MYSTERY. Of the 6000 newspaper workers sacked by Murdoch, some 700 are women clerical workers in SOGAT. When I first went down to Wapping about a month ago, a march had been organised by these women to highlight the fact that not all those sacked were male printers. The need for such a demonstration was underlined by the BBC, when they reported them as being the wives of the sacked printers. The women marched down to the picket line to join the men, but Brenda Dean, the leader of SOGAT, asked people to leave the picket line and come to listen to her, and other speakers, at a rally up a sideroad. So far the tactics have produced no results, and although the leadership are still pursuing the same line, the rank and file are realising that more definite action is needed. Although on the evening of the Womens Rally there were several thousand people outside the Wapping plant, no attempt was made by union officials to organise an effective picket. The following week, however, the mood had changed. There were at least 7000 people down at Wapping and the feeling amongst the crowd was more angry and determined. This epitomized the behaviour of the leaders of the print unions throughout the dispute. Rather than organize mass pickets to prevent the delivery of Murdoch's newspapers, the leadership wants to conduct a low key campaign , aimed at capturing public opinion and persuading people not to buy the Sun. The police themselves were very provocative and cleared the road using horses and riot police. Such action shows the lengths to which this government is prepared to go, to protect one individual's private profits and to uphold the right to scab. The major pickets down at Wapping are on Saturday nights, and on the last two Saturdays the papers have been delayed by pickets until gone midnight. This just shows that the pickets can be effective and that it is important that as many people as possible get themselves down there... Last Tuesday a SOGAT member, sacked from the Sunday Times, came down to Reading to address a public meeting on the dispute. He expressed the feeling of the rank and file that action must be stepped up and mass pickets supported. At this meeting a Print Support Committee was set up, and it will be meeting at the Paradise Club at 8pm on Tuesday 11th March. Come along and support the printers, and get along to Wapping on Saturday night. a member of the Print Support Committee. - - - READING'S GAY, the newsletter produced by Reading's Gay Collective, is out now - pick up a copy from the Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Strret, Reading... or from the Party at the Horse and Barge, Duke St, Saturday 15th March 8pm. - - - No 5 COUNSELLING AND INFORMATION SERVICE. Number 5 is looking for two Assistant Information Workers (29 hrs. per week) to work mainly with young people. Main areas of work are Housing and Welfare Rights. Some experience of either would be preferred (personal or otherwise). You should be able to relate well to people, and to pick up new skills quickly. Details from Barry McInnes or John Towler at 2/4 Sackville Street or phone Reading 585858. Community Programme Regulations apply. - - - GOING OUT Monday 10 March: Folk - The Bull, Nettlebed, 8pm, free. Scotch Measure. Jazz / funk - The Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley, 8-11 free. Local for USAF people. Jazz - Albion Hotel Oxford Rd: Pete James All Star Jubilee Jazz Band. Jazz- Students Union, Univ, 8pm free. SHP - "Supergrass" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50: comic strip & heroin smuggling. Silks, Thatcham - rock night. Folk - Kennet Arms, Irish music, 8pm. Exhibition (til 6 April) - SHP - work of 15 local women artists. Free. Tuesday 11 March: Meeting - Printers Support Group, 8pm at the Paradise Club, London St. Univ Students Union - Amazulu (reggae / pop) & support. Town folk get in with tickets only. Gay disco - Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd, 8pm. Mainly men. Live music - Keith James - BJ Moons, Kings Rd, 8pm. Film- Bulmershe College: Manhattan, 8pm? Ballet - London City Ballet @ Hexagon, 7.30pm. Film - "Supergrass" at SHP as 10th. Jazz - Don Weller Quartet, South Hill Park, 8pm £2:70. Transfiguration & Clairvoyance - SHP, 7.30pm £2:50 Wednesday 12 March: Video - RCU Women's Video Screening, 1.30-3. Women only. Film - Reading Film Theatre "Birdy" (15) 8pm. US Vietanm vets in military hospital. Touching drama. Ballet, as 11th, plus 2pm matinee. Film - "Supergrass" at SHP as 10th. Thursday 13 March: Farce - Hexagon management board meet at Civic Offices, 6.30. All welcome. Folk - The Rose, King St, Maidenhead - 8pm free: Anonyma. Country - Sportsman (Shinfield Rd) & Cross Keys. Film - "Birdy" at RFT, as 12th: UB40 discount. Ballet - London City Ballet, as 11th (Hex). Funk / soul - "Muff": Paradise Club, 9-10.30 happy hour. Live muff - SHP Cellar. Film - "The Last Battle" (15) 7.45 £2:50. Speechless survivors of Armageddon scratch out living in ruins of Paris - "stylish & witty". At South Hill Park. Theatre - "The 3 Sisters" (Chekov) SHP, 7.30. Shared Experience Company. Tragi comic life in Tsarist Russia!! Friday 14 March: Reggae - Half Pint in concert with Levi Roots. Sir Coxsone Outernational Sound System (one of the best) plus guests PAs by singers & DJs - Frankie Paul, Brigadeer Jerry, Josey Wales & more. Central Club, London St, 8 - very very late. £5 on door. Veggie Dining - 8pm, RCU, 3 course vegan nosh, bring drink. £3 / £2:50, tickets from Acorn Books. Benefit for Reading Steiner school project. Paradise - The Membranes (wonderful distortion & powerhammer rhythm) & support. £3 Folk - The Lamb, Eversley, 8pm, free. Live music - Cap & Gown, Kings Rd, £1. Ballet - Hexagon as 11th. Gay disco - Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd, 8pm free. Mainly men. Film - Odeon Cinema, Cheapside: UB40 matinee. Theatre - Chekov at SHP, as yesterday. Film - "My Beautiful Launderette" (15) 7.45pm and it's free! Ritzy launderette set up on stolen cash by gay asian man. Ex-NF lover wants to renew the affair too. Recital (tunes) by SHP musicians, at the park. 8pm. Silver collection. Saturday 15 March: Coach trip - get the X1 at 5.45 from Broad St & go picketing at Wapping. Bring a packed lunch & warm woollens. Ballet - Hexagon, as before & 2.30 matinee. Jumble sales - somewhere! Singing - Handel's Messiah: Great Hall, Univ London Rd, 7.30pm. More singing - Reading Phoenix Choir, at St. Nicholas' Church, Hurst, 8pm. £3 tel 783041. Gay & Lesbian party - Horse & Barge, Duke Street, 8pm. 80p raffle ticket. Dancing - (folk style): Watlington House, Watlington St, 7.30. £3. Tel 415578 (tickets). Soul & funk - Tim Westwood Roadshow at the Paradise Club, London St, 8-late. Theatre - as 13th, South Hill Park. Film - "My Beautiful Launderette" (15) 7.45pm and at 10.30, £2:50 or free? Folk - Tom O'Farrell (gtr & vocals) SHP, 8pm £1:80. Opry - SHP Recital Room, 8pm soiree. £3 / £2. Sunday 16 March: Meeting - Red Rag Collective talk about the Rag. Everyone very welcome. 5pm at 7 Christchurch Gardens. Film - "My Beautiful Launderette" as 14th, SHP. Jazz - either Clem Adelman Duo (modern) or lots of jazz / blues records: The Butler, Chatham St. 8pm. Free. Folk - George Hotel, Broad St. 8ish. Slick Serenading - Studio Bistro, London Rd, 8. Garden walk & rose pruning demonstration - 2.30-4.30 Caversham Court. Jazz - Graham Hewitt High Society J.B.: Victoria Arms, Wokingham, 8ish. Free. Monday 17 March: Folk - Irish, at Kennet Arm, Pell St, 8pm free. Rock - Silks, Thatcham. Jazz - Albion Hotel, Oxford Rd / Univ Union. Meeting at Paradise Club, i.e. no gigs etc. Lecture - "Forestry Commission & The Future", Univ Palmer Building 7.30, 50p. Folk - The Bull, Nettlebed: 8pm Blunt Instruments. Song & Spectacle - Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - Hexagon, 7.30pm plus 2pm matinees starting tomorrow. Ends on Sat 22nd. Film "My Beautiful Launderette" SHP: as 14th. Tuesday 18 March: Live Music - "The Conspiracy Present" The Gathering (guitars) & Lifecan (pyschedelia & punk & youth) & Rubber Rubber Vortex. 9.30 - 1.20 at Paradise Club, London St. £1:50 entry. Film - Bulmershe College - anything on? Film "My Beautiful Launderette" as 14th. Jazz - Wild Bill Davidson & Jim Shepherd's Band, at South Hill Park, 8pm £3:00. Univ - Easter Party: Geno Washington. 8-2. Gay Disco - Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd, 8pm. Mainly men. Live music - Keith James at BJ Moons, Kings Rd, 8pm. Hex - Spectacle as yesterday. Print Support meeting. Watch out for details. Lecture "Wind engines & recent industrial archaeology", Univ Museum of English Rural Life, 7.30pm. Wednesday 19 March: Video - Women's Video Screening, RCU, 1.30-3pm. Free. Women only. Soul / reggae - Paradise Club. No details yet. Film "My Beautiful Launderette" as 15th. Film "White Dog" (15) 8pm: dog trained by racists to attack black people, sounds like Thames Valley Po-lice. Reading Film Theatre. Joseph & Technicolour Dreamcoat as 18th. Tragic Farce - Borough Council housing Committee meet at Civic Offices, 6.30. Open to us. Benefit Gig - Bulmershe College - for Anti-Apartheid: The Throaties & The Earth 10-12pm £1 on door. Thursday 20 March: Red Rag Editorial, where contributions are read and passed for next Rag. All welcome. Phone no. on front for details. Folk - Rose, King St, Maidenhead. Country - Sportsman & Cross Keys. Jazz - Univ. Union, 9ish, free. Free Video Screening - "Media Education in Primary Schools", SHP 7.45. Live Music - SHP Cellar Bar. Technicolour Dreamcoat - as 18th. Soul / funk - Paradise Club. Youth Opera - "The Lost Domain", based on Alain-Fournier's "Le Grand Meaulnes", at SHP. 7.30. £4 / £2 UB40. "2 school friends grow to manhood through idealistic adolescence", it says 'ere. Martin Salter - Leisure Committee, 6.30 Civic Offices. Not to be missed! Jazz / funk - George Hotel, Broad St, 8ish free. Jazz - Victoria Arms, Wokingham - The Newbury All Stars. Friday 21 March: Folk - The Lamb, Eversley - 8pm The Toffs. Live music - Cap & Gown, Kings Rd, 9ish, £1. Paradise Club - Tall Boys (Like Johnny Thunders). Gay Disco - Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd, 8pm. Free. Mainly men. Opera - "The Lost Domain" SHP as yesterday. Film - "The Emerald Forest" (15) 7.45pm £2:50. SHP - "American" child abducted by Indians meets father 10 years later. Piano recital - SHP, 8pm, £3:50. Hex - Technicolour Dreamcoat again. Film - UB40 matinee discount at the Odeon. Saturday 22 March: Red Rag paste up - phone coordinator (see front of Rag) for details. Film - "The Emerald Forest" as yesterday, at SHP, plus 10.30 showing. X1 to Wapping 5.45 / assemble Tower Hill tube at 7.30pm. Folk - Vic Shepperd & John Bowden at SHP, 8pm £1:80. North Yorkshire songs, melodian & Jew's harp. Opera - "The Lost Domain" at SHP as 21st plus 2pm matinee. Last day of Technicolour Dreamcoat ar Hex. Paradise Club - nothing fixed yet. Sunday 23 March: A year ago today the South Street Dole Office occupation ended. Red Rag folding & distribution from Acorn. Phone Sunday person to volunteer!! Jazz - Butler, Chatham St, as last week, Folk - George Hotel, Broad St, 8pm. Paying. Jazz - Victoria Arms, Wokingham, 8ish free. Ramble - Tinkers Green & Tokers Green 2.30pm from Mapeldurham playing fields. Film - "The Emerald Forest" as 21st. Poetry reading - SHP - free at noon: Wendy Smith. "Brilliant & witty" it says 'ere. South Berkshire Magic Centre Concert at SHP. Youth orchestras / choirs, 7pm. Coming Soon Theatre - "Knuckle" at the Progress (Mount off Christchurch Rd), 7.45 24th-26th. Live music - Roots Dimenion & Military Surplus & Surgery Sound, to be confirmed. Roots Reggae at the Paradise, Tues 25th. Veggie Dining - RCU 8pm on 28th - Peace Pledge Union benefit. Live music - (Anti) YTS benefit at Paradise Club, London St - Mon 24th (see below). Farce - Planning Committee 4th April. YTS Benefit: Second Condition & The Cliff Hangers, 8-latte, £1 UB40 / £2 waged. Key: Hex: Hexagon, Queens Walk: 591591 SHP: South Hill Park, Bracknell: B 484123 Paradise: Paradise Club, 112 London St Reading: tel 576847 RCU: Reading Centre for Unemployed, East St: tel 596639 Info to Mark 868488. Lots of love! Mark xxx - - - MONEY BREEDS IN READING - PROBE Local developers Pinefrost Ltd of Ascot are among the latest to cash in on Reading's rumoured high tech boom, with a 56000 square foot scheme in South St. Conditional consent was given by local planners in July 1982, but now the company look forward to starting work soon on the 16 French cottage lookalike sheds that will grace the South St / East St site. A spokesperson for the developers, Mr. Tarquin Scumbag, told Red Rag: "I've been to public school and am a qualified chartered surveyor. Obviously this entitles me to make pots of money out of other people's lives." The scheme, which includes no housing or community facilities, will cost around £2 million to build, but demolition, professional fees and finance charges will push the bill up to £2 1/2 million. Tarquin, however, is optimistic: "Although it'll cost us a couple of hundred thou' to shift the sheds, er sorry, to market the exclusively designed high tech units we can still draw over £900000 clear profit. This is based on a typical markup of 17 percent on the value of the finished product." Rents for such property are about £8 a square foot, giving a capital value for the project of just under £5 1/2 million, or 110 new houses." The development is only going ahead on condition that the company makes major concessions to local planners. These include speaking nicely on the phone, not driving their Daimlers into council officers 2CV's, and building a couple of access roads to the site. "Obviously we'd have built the roads anyway," a smiling Tarquin told reporters "otherwise the worker chappies couldn't do their bit, what?" Mr Scumbag, who does not live in Reading admitted that the scheme's budget included over £1.2 million to buy the site. Although he would not reveal the price paid, he joked that: "only idiots would pay so much." Reaction to the development has been mixed. Reading Labour Party was on a vote trapping expedition in Spencers Wood, and unavailable for comment. A spokesperson for Reading Trades Council said: "It wasn't like this in 1926. Mind you, I wasn't alive then. What can you do? Who cares that workers' conditions are decided by speculators as much as by their bosses?" Some local residents are more willing to make a stand. Sarah Bright and John Warr said: "we remember this site from when we were squatting the dole office across the road a year ago. The land was better used then as a temporary gypsy site. Pinefrost should be collectively shot." Martin "Anarchist" Flanagan, business correspondent. - - - LETTER Dear Rag Clever dick nazis (and not just wallies who don't know the things mean) have been going round painting NF and (A) signs next to each other on walls. It is one small example of the right's psychological operations, aiming to spread the political confusion, chaos and terror from which they profit. But, hold on... isn't this exactly the same lovely confusion and chaos the discordians like and are trying to promote among us? The state seeks to divide, disorganise and confuse us in order to rule us, to overcome the state we must organise, unite and fight! Anarchy means self-organisation without leaders and hierarchy, chaos just means fascism, filth, war, terror, domination, poverty, ignorance, divide and rule, confusion and fear, so wise up mugs or push off! Paul Petard Thames Valley Anarchists - - - SOUTH STREET - WOMENS SQUAT Accommodation and Workshop Space - Sat 8th and Sun 9th March The old Unemployment Benefit Offices in South Street are in use once again. The building has been occupied by a group of women, in order to provide accommodation and workshop space, for women, on Saturday 8th March (International Womens Day) and Sunday 9th March. The building has been sitting empty and unused for over two years, apart from a very successful festival of arts activities last March. We are occupying it for this weekend celebration, in protest because we feel it is a waste of a space that could be put to good use by people in Reading. South Street Womens Squat - - - BERKS. VIOLENCE OUTBREAK "WORST EVER" - TOP T.V. COP I fear my article on "Violence and Red Rag", published anonymously a couple of issues ago, has been misunderstood. Either BGP confuses me by using different levels of irony throughout her/his reply, or s/he is misrepresenting what I tried to explore. I think violence is undesirable. I have not renounced it. I'm not sure I would know how to. I think the present widespread practice of shitting and pissing in toilets connected to a mains water supply is undesirable. The production and consumption of such quantities of 'clean' water has undesirable environmental impact; the many valuable qualities of our excreta are wasted, and the disposal of masses of effluent is an expensive and difficult problem. But I do not therefore "renounce" using the toilet. Safe, acceptable alternative means of putting my wastes to good use are not readily accessible to me: I don't know what else to do with my shit, nor have any necessary equipment or facilities. But I certainly don't intend ceasing to eat or drink. Isn't it a very similar dilemma to that surrounding the use of violence? I intend remaining in the world with all its anger and violence and crap like that. I want to develop practical, sustainable ways, necessarily collective, to deal with it. Heroics just distract from that task. I didn't intend telling anyone not to be violent; I hoped to encourage a slightly more understanding view of the issue. It is an issue which, unnecessarily I believe, all too often divides us. I certainly wouldn't waste my breath telling "Them" not to be violent: violence is what "They" thrive on. It is a symptom of "power". In response to another part of BGP's reply, I can't resist asking, Which is the most pointless of empty personal gestures: lying down in front of their tanks, or facing "their truncheons, riot sticks, CS gas, pistols, machine guns, tanks aircraft, missiles, bombs; their prisons, asylums, torture, humiliation and harassment ... with, if I'm lucky, my Red Rag petrol bomb in my hand."? And on the differences between violent self-defence and violent attack, remember that thousands of people in the country sincerely work for the Ministry of Defence. Offensive to us perhaps; my hairstyle is offensive to some of "them". I know there is a difference, but I'm not satisfied I know what it is. - - - THE RED RAG BENEFIT on Tuesday 11th March at the Paradise Club has, regrettably, been cancelled, because Rupert Murdoch refuses to play (see last issue). No alternative of equal quality and distinction could be found. Sorry to all Rupert's disappointed fans in Reading. - - - A NEW POSSIBLE TARGET for Anti-Apartheid stencillers and glaziers support group members... 60 Queens Road, a new office block recently let to Barclays for about £300,000 pa. - - - TRANSCRIPTION I need help in transcribing tape recorded interviews verbatim for my PhD thesis. Longhand is fine, but if you can type, I can probably provide access to an Amstrad word processor. Please reply with fee required for 1 1/2 hour cassette to Box 2, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street Reading. - - - DHSS FRAUD - SHOCK HORROR Supplementary Benefit (SB) is worked out as what the DHSS think you need, minus your actual resources. A basic guide is that if the DHSS class you as a couple, both people's resouces and needs are taken into account, along with those of any dependents. The basic rate is £47:85 a week, compared with 2 times £29:50 = £59 a week for two people who can present claims as single people. Who Is Eligible For SB? So obviously, it both of you are eligible for SB, try and claim as 2 individuals who are not "living together as husband and wife". To be eligible to claim SB you must (generally):- * be over 16 , living in Britain, & not at school, * work for less than 30 hours a week, * sign on as available for full time work (with exemptions), * studying less than 21 hours a week, if you're studying whilst unemployed, * have less than £3000 savings. What Sort Of Claim Is Best? Now you can decide who can claim SB. If you both fit the bill, then try and make 2 individual claims and prove you're not living together as husband and wife. But if one of you is not eligible for SB in her/his own right, then look at claiming as a couple and proving that you are living together as etc etc etc. Because as long as the claiming partner signs on as available for full time work and is entitled to SB, the "couple" rate will be paid. So one person could be in full time work, and, if the wages are low enough, the DHSS will make payments at a "suitable" rate. (If one of you does work full time on a low wage, compare claiming SB with a claim for Family Income Supplement - you could get more.) Who Can Be Claimant If You Claim As A Couple? You have to have been, for the 6 months before your claim: * working at least 8 hours a week or * signing on or * claiming SB in a few special cases (including being a single parent with a child of under 16 1iving with you), or * in prison or on YTS or abroad, or * one or two other special cases. And you have to be entitled to SB. What Is "Co-Habitation"? If you think you'll get more money by claiming as a couple, and you've found out who will be the claimant, what does the DHSS regard as "co-habitation" - the basis on which unmarried couples are paid as "husband and wife". The DHSS looks at:- 1. Are you living in the same household? Arrangements for cooking, storing, buying, and eating food, paying rent, etc will be relevant. 2. Is there a sexual relationship? The DHSS cannot ask direct questions on this, so it depends on what you tell them. A sexual relationship on its own is not enough to turn you into a DHSS-classified couple. The other things on this list are just as important. 3. The financial set up: who pays whose rent? Are bills paid from common fund or on a fixed 50/50 basis? 4. Are there any children? 5. How do the couple appear in public? eg on the electoral roll? Has one partner changed their surname? 6. Is the relationship stable? (and what sort of relationship is it?) Be Prepared!! A DHSS Visiting Officer should check out these questions of fact - this person may call even if you don't ask them to. When youre filling your forms in, decide what you want to tell the DHSS. The Visiting Officer gets the same facts when s/he calls around later on. The DHSS can be stupid enough, for example, to classify a lodger and landlord/lady as "living as husband and wife". If you have to appeal, do it within 28 days of the DHSS decision. In your appeal letter, also ask for an A124 form, which sets out how the DHSS have worked out your claim. For help contact the Centre for the Unemployed (596639). - - - MANSION HOUSE- WE NAME THE GUILTY MEN An insignificant and 'remote' set of people (Conservative councillors on the Planning Committee) have given planning permission for The Mansion House to be re-developed into offices. It is appalling that this has happened even though most people strongly oppose the scheme. Who wants to look at an office block in a public park ? Many times over the idea of turning the Mansion House into offices has been criticized. Some people believe that the House is worth restoring as a "period" building, some believe that it could be renovated as a leisure amenity, others that the building is not worth keeping and should be demolished. Any of the above options are far more acceptable than allowing commercial development in the park. Because Prospect Park is such an important place for leisure and recreation any changes within it should be compatible with it's natural features. The unacceptable fact is that the Conservative group has willingly negotiated with property developers to put the scheme together. All avenues of public involvement have been restricted or blocked altogether. This again is totally unacceptable, especially as many people do have sensible and relevant views to contribute. While the decision made on Friday (March 7th) approved Planning Permission for the scheme, the matter is not over with, although the Tories would like to think so. Because the Mansion House is a listed building permission from the Secretary of State for the Environment is needed to alter the use of the building. Members of the public - You !!! - please write to the Secretary of State, some of the points you might like to raise are:- 1. The loss of valuable open space. 2. The detrimental affect the scheme would, have on the park. 3. A listed building would be destroyed. 4. A precedent would be set for future unwelcome developments in the park. If you haven't written to the Borough Council yet objecting to the scheme - please write this one! If you're one of the hundreds who have already written the campaign must be continued, only by sustaining and increasing the scale of public opposition is there any hope of stopping this unwelcome development. You, the park and the House deserve much better than an office block and other changes not in keeping with the park's fine, natural features. The public should be fully and properly involved in deciding what happens in Prospect Park - not just a few councillors and property developers who have a common self interest. Please write to:- Kenneth Baker, Secretary of State for the Environment, House of Commons, London SWl. The future of Prospect Park and the Mansion House is in your hands - do something about it now before its too late!!! Prospectus Mansionus - - - THE STATE'S HOMOSEXUAL INQUISITION TEST Had enough SHIT? Important: Use only number 69 lead pencil. Fill the squares completely Do not mark more than one answer. You will be penalised for unanswered questions or correct party lines. Fill in birthdate, social security number, federal homosexual identity number, and sun sign in the spaces provided. Be prepared to present three photo IDs: out-of-state licenses are not valid. No open-toe shoes. No jeans. Must be over 21 to enter. Void yourself where prohibited by law. 1. The traditional family consists of: a} husband, wife, child and divorce attorney b) a talking refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a vegomatic c) two fags d) one fag and a bottle of poppers 2. DSS is an abbreviation for: a) Disruptive Social Services b) Desperately Seeking Susan c) Dukakis' Standards Suck d) Dyke Sexual Superiority 3. The most important components of good parenting are: a) pantyhose and stiletto heels b) Cabbage Patch dolls and a big backyard c) dykes and fags d) Barbie and Ken 4. A man is abnormal if a) his lipstick and fingernail polish clash b) he smokes while he's in the shower c) he takes up less than three feet of space around him when he walks down the street d) he has the words "fuchsia" and "beaded curtains" in his vocabulary 5. A woman is abnormal if a) she owns a hammer b) she is not pregnant c) she wins an argument over a man d) she can't clean the house and cook the dinner after work before she helps the kids with their homework, bathes them and puts them to bed so that her husband can have a little peace and quiet after a long, hard day 6. A healthy family environment would encourage kids to a) eat their vegetables b) learn their lessons good c) ask Beth d) respect both of their mothers equally - - - STONEHENGE - THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN - STORY Raving the night away to the cool tunes of the Biz, Webcore and the Ozrik Tentacles for those who made all the way to the far awayness of the Paradise club the evening was most enjoyable the biz profficient local unit Webcore my fave rave at the moment not only is the music made for the heads of this world and others the poetry in motion with the vocal oogimaflips is also beyond the confines of this lump of rock that we claim to live on the Ozrik Tentacles more of an attraction in reading due to the high proportion of acid casualtys freaks and general living in the past types not to put down the band at all their doing it in a refreshing way so dont drag them back into the past folks they are an 80s musical experience and i love it. So if you haven't discovered the paradise when the conspiracy are putting on the show then how can you claim to be enjoying yourself especially if you want to see something different you may not think it is but it is up to U coming soon benefit for Nicaragua at Bulmershe 13th March the Gathering Military Surplus Robyn Hitchcock benefits for ye olde ragge anti apartheid Stonehenge. More update on stonehenge next ish as we move out of the local space zone and into galactic garble see ya Wal de Wom - - - EVENTS GUIDE Mon: 10 RCU - Prepare for self employment 12.30-2.30 - Sign language 1-3. Tues: 11 RCU - East St. Art & Design. 1-3. - Tasty cooking on a low budget: Cookery Room, Kensington Rd. 1-3. - Key English 10-12. Storytime for the Under 5's. 2.30 Palmer Park library. Weds: 12 RCU - Women's Day: Women's Self Expression 10-12.30. - Video Screenings: International Women 1.30-3.00 - Fabric & Yarn Crafts: 10-3 Thurs: 13 RCU - Creative writing workshop 1-3 - Wildlife garden project 1-3 Central Club: Women's dance group. 10.15-11.45 Fri: 14 RCU? Sat: 15... Sun: 16 Reading cyclists: cycle ride to Winchmore Hill. Leave Caversham bridge at 9.15am. Contact Jon - Henley 577207. 60 miles. Mon: 17 RCU - Prepare for self employment 12.30-2.30 - Sign language 1-3 Ecology party / Green party meet: 252 Tilehurst Rd., 8pm. University gay social youth group. Meet upstairs, Students Union. 8.30. Tues: 18 RCU - East St. Art & design workshop. 1-3. - Key English 10-12. - Tasty cooking on a low budget: 1-3 Cookery Room, Kensington Rd. Storytime for the Under 5's. Palmer Park library. 2.30 Wokingham Women's Studies Group: women from "World Education Berkshire" will talk about their work & women's roles. 8.15pm - Women's Centre, 1a Milton Rd. Greenham Support Group, Women's Centre, Abbey St. 8pm. Weds: 19 RCU - Women's Day: Women's Self Expression 10-12.30. - Video Screenings: Sexuality 1.30-3. - Fabric & Yarn Crafts: 10-3 Thurs: 20 RCU - Creative writing workshop 1-3 - Wildlife garden project 1-3 Central Club: Women's dance group. 10.15-11.45 SWP meet at the Wellington Arms, Whitley St. 8pm. Red Rag editorial meeting - all welcome. 'Phone coordinator for details. Pre & post natal yoga, Abbey room 2nd floor, Central Library. 1-2.30 also - creche available if booked in advance, #phone 584191. Fri: 21? Sat: 22? Sun: 23 Reading cyclists - cycle ride to Burghclere & Watership Down. 50 miles. Contact Peter - 695832. Leave Caversham bridge at 9.15. Dog walkers are needed at Binfield Dog Rescue. Especially weekdays, between 11-3. Phone Bridge 421490 for info. Peace Pledge Union - pacifist, non-violent direct action group. Membership to PPY not essential to join in meetings, contact 483416 or 667085 for details & venues for meetings etc. Paul xx - - - SMALL ADS * Wanted - articles for local newspaper. Send to Box 79, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. Reading. Discreet and confidential service. * Furnished room for couple in large shared house on Grovelands Road, West Reading. £170 pcm plus bills. Phone Tim on 594592. "Hippy types" preferred. * Etruscan Shrew, Moon Rat, Praying Mantis and Japanese Macaque going spare - anyone fancy a swap, phone 868488. * Old amp and record deck (both in working order I think) need a new home. Free, or donation to Red Rag. Rdg. 665332. * Anyone interested in sharing bulk buying of "organic" veg, Cemetery Junction area, tel 64178. * For sale, drum kit: Premier, 4 drums, high hat, cymbal: excellent for beginner, £200. Rdg. 665332. * Wanted: electric fire / heater that works. Mark 868488. * Person wanted to share central Reading flat, £103.50 pcm+bills+ rates. Tel. James 595605. - - - "ANARCHISTS" IN "TRENDY" SCARE As Nick of the 'Discordians' states, absurdity does threaten any organisation. But Nick does seem to have a very limited view of what 'organisation' meane. There is nothing un-anarchist about getting organised. What Nick describes as 'organisation' is the hierarchical management of society - he seems to be unaware of the potential for free, co-operative organisation that does not involve compulsion and is for our mutual benefit. Organisation - between and by ourselves - is necessary to achieve maximum enjoyment of life, and indeed to sustain life itself. Organisation is essential if you want food to eat, clothes to wear, fuel to keep you warm in winter, medical care when you are sick or injured ,etc. There is nothing un-anarchist about the effective organisation of time and energy. Is it reactionary to expect a bus or train to leave at the announced time rather than an hour later or an hour earlier? Naturally, no anarchist wants to replace one set of rulers with another, that is why we have to learn how to co-operate and organise effectively without bosses. With his idea of a society where "everyone has the same 'control' over everyone else", Nick reveals that his true commitment is not to anarchist ideas but to J.S. Mill type liberal individualism. Most anarchists have little time for this kind of sleazy tolerance - "I'll let you get away with your scene id you'll let me get away with mine". This is not anarchism. It is far too negative i.e. restricting our freedom at the point where it bumps up against other peoples freedom. Nick, for all his talk of anarchy, is expounding yet another philosophy for restricting freedom. Anarchism is a positive philosophy for expanding freedom - "What can we do to enhance and improve each others pleasure and enjoyment of life?" Nick seems to use the word 'anarchy' quite freely but with little understanding of what it means. As anarchism has become the fastest growing and most active revolutionary movement in Britain today it has inevitably become trendy and others want to jump on the bandwagon. Witness how many groups and individuals, from the plain confused to the downright deranged, who hope to spice up their pathetic political menus by slipping the word 'anarchist' in the title somewhere. Amongst the latest arrivals on the anarchy bandwagon are the 'Disocordians', so it is worth a pause to look at their origins. Where does all this 'Hail Eris', 'All Hail Discordia' baloney come from? Truth to tell it all comes from a Sci Fi trilogy called 'Illuminatus' produced in the States by a couple of ageing hippies in an attempt to keep themselves in a style to which they would like to become accustomed. As a bit of inconsequential reading it is quite a fun dip into the 60's underground press 'conspiracy' myth bag (the hero sails around in a yellow submarine. Geddit?) and its racy style and patronising sexism is not difficult to explain when you realise that the authors were previously story writers for 'Playboy' magazine. The 'Discordians' have adopted as truth what is, in fact, a parody of all that is dippy in the libertarian-chic milieu. Thankfully their revolutionary activity doesn't seem to extend beyond writing further self-parodies in 'Red Rag'. Zed Feecher - - - The Conspirary presents... THE GATHERING and Lifecan Rubber Rubber Vortex Just £1:50 The Paradise Club 112 London St. 18th March 9-late. - - - STOP PRESS EVENTS Tuesday 18th March - Labour Party Young Socialists meeting with Berks / Oxon NGA Speaker and one from S'ton EETPU. St Mary's Centre 8pm. Sunday 23rd March - march for a future leaves Palmer Park at 1pm. LPYS again. - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1986/1986-03-09.txt#3 $